Another week has come and gone. One thing I've found is that as I clear out rose bushes and other non-fruiting shrubbery to make room for fruit trees, is that I really hate bundling up brush and hauling it out to the front. Especially the rose bushes with their wicked thorns. I found myself wishing I could just throw it all in pile an burn it, but then I had a better idea. After doing some serious yard chores with Boy #1 this afternoon, he and I went to the grocery store and picked up a chimenea. Of course, we also picked up the essential graham crackers, marshmallows, and Hershey bars. Boy #1 picked out a nice green one, and I threw it in the back of the truck and hauled it home. I really am amazed it didn't break on the way. I had tried to secure it pretty well, but it still rolled around quite a bit.

After dinner, I stuffed it full of dried up, thorny rose bush sticks and leaves, a small log, and struck a match....Foom! In no time we had a nice little fire crackling away. They boys had a marvelous time roasting marshmallows, gobbling up chocolate, and endangering themselves and others with roasting sticks turned red-hot pokers. Based on their behavior for the rest of the evening, I think it's safe to say they had a little too much sugar, but just the right amount of fun. The chimenea is great for burning up brush a small handful at a time, and it will take quite a few fires to take care of my pile. That's ok. As much as the boys loved it, Dr. Wife and I liked it too. Right now as I type on the laptop, I'm sitting next to it, warming my feet on the smouldering coals. Now, instead of a big pile of brush, I've got fuel for a winter of smores by the fire.As far as training goes, I'm feeling a little beat up, but pretty good overall. My left knee has been bothering me since last week. I think I hurt it playing soccer with the kids after running really hard at the 10 for Texas race. It hurt bad enough on Wednesday that I decided to play it safe and take the day off from running. Since then I've been icing it frequently and stretching. By Friday it was feeling much better, not 100%, but better. In spite of my knee, I did another 20-mile long run on Saturday morning, and to my surprise I still had gas in the tank at the end of the run. I even kept going another quarter mile just because I felt good. I've always had some nagging doubts about tackling the marathon distance, but after this weekend's run, I know I can do it. My last mile was even under 9 minutes! I don't know if I'll be able to run a sub-4 hour marathon, but there's no doubt in my mind that I can finish.

Not much to report in the orchard. Boy #1 and I were really busy this afternoon. First we planted a new Republic of Texas orange tree, and ran an irrigation line to it. If I could only plant one citrus tree, it would probably be the Republic of Texas orange. It's cold hard, it grows fast, it's very productive, and the fruit is absolutely delicious. After that, we finished running the second tier of wire along the new grapevine trellis, and ran some 1/2-inch irrigation line along that. Then we transplanted some more strawberries into the strawberry bed, hooked up some more newly grafted citrus trees to the irrigation line along the hosue, and sprayed all the citrus trees with neem oil. A pretty productive weekend, all things considered. All that really remains is to buy and install the t-posts for the blackberries, and to get to work on the kid's new play fort. Oh well, there are only so many hours in a day, and I feel very happy that we've been making the most of them lately.

Roasting marshmallows

Doesn't get much happier than this!

Boy #1 working hard to keep the strawberries watered. I'm so proud of him.

Your two sons are growing into very handsome fellows. They are so blessed to have attentive parents that shower them with love and some great fun memories. Those Smores are favorites with ever kid I have known. You had a god idea. I planted a Rebublic of Texas seed some years ago. and this coming spring I will have the first crop.. I can hardly wait to taste them. Blessings, Yvonne

Reply

usha

10/22/2013 11:22:54 pm

I keep wishing the same... about burning the pulled out plants..some of them take too much time to decompose in the compost. I have been thinking of getting the chimenea too just for the purpose . Now I have a good reason to buy 'cos the kids were too excited about the possibilities of roasting marshmallows. Love your blog. Tons of good information. Good luck with your new garden.

Reply

susan

12/29/2013 11:58:00 am

We run over our brushy trash with the lawnmower. Makes it nice and small perfect for the compost :) I assume you have a compost for your crops?